Conductor reel



Feb. 18, 1936; 1, STERN Er AL 2,031,434

CONDUCTOR REEL Filed May 12, 1934 l N V ENTO R5 Isaac Sler'n Leah Sivookhof'f' ATTORNEY theme at, is, race I g pyg pggp UNITED STATES. PATENT I CQNIDUCTOR REEL Isaac Stern and Leah Shookhofl, Brookly N. Y.: said Shookhofl assignmto said Stern Application May 12, 1934, Serial No. 725,286

m Claims. (c1. 242-101) I The invention relates to reels and more parcealing the wire of the telephone while the tele ticularly relates to novel apparatus for and methphone is not in use. ods of reeling extensions of electrical conducting There are other objects of the invention which wires, specifically telephone conductors extending together with the foregoing will appear in the from the receiver to a telephone. detailed description which is to follow in cong5 Two conductors extend from the base of a. telenection with the drawi in w ich:

phone; one from the base of theltelephone to the Figure 1 is a side elevation of a telephone t switch or outlet box and the other from the base paratus showing application of one form of the to the microphone and receiver unit. The latter inv n i n;

w conductor, as is common lmowledge to users Figure 2 is longitudinal external View taken it} thereof, constantly tends to curl and twist and n l e of Figure accordingly becomes extremely annoying on an Figure 3 is a longitudinal Sectional View taken omce desk. Many devices have been proposed on line of Figure g for overcoming this difflculty, such as the use of Figure 4 is a Se o a View taken on line H m a spiral shaped wire intended to hold the conf Figure it ductor from curling, but these have never efiee- Figure 5 is a Sectional w taken o e fi-fi tively prevented curling of the conductor; in fact, of Figure 3;- I w. seem t assist in t curling; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line H The provision of an ordinary reel for reeling f lfigure 3; 2c the wire on a drum when the telephone receiver I F gure 7 is a view taken on line i-'i of Figure 1; is not in use and mounted on its base is not by Figure 315 w a e o line 3-8 of Figure 5;

itself practical, due to the fact that ordinarily Figure 9 is a View token 011 line of Figure some form of collector rings are necessary at the Referring to Figure 1, reeling device 39 1 Shown end of the wire for completing the electrical cirapplied to a telephone appa us and 3 In cult-as the. wire is rolled on and oil the reel. this illustration the reel is mounted n e 25.

Such an arrangement involves the difliculties of stem of the telephone ba brmoa o clamp 0 contact trouble which, in the case of the relatively (Figures 1 and 7) small telephone currents, are sufllciently serious The I661 30 consists of u u e that the telephone companies do not permit the which revolves Within the casing formed by y 30 application of such a device to their circuits. (111081 W911 31 and end covers and Drum M so It accordingly becomes necessary to provide an is Provided with a tubular hub 44, pivoted its arrangement which will permit the conductor to ends, as at Where it engages P v 42 fit g be reeled without in any way altering the present in hole in end will! 47 0f the drum, d 85 at electrical circuit or requiring any contacting de- 45, Where extension 0 t hu l ts lf fits 35 vices.- loosely in bearing 43.

In accordance with the present invention a A helical rib is formed p n t e ums ysimple inexpensive reel is employed which perlindl'ical l 55 h p p of guiding tu mits the wire to be wound on the reel when the oi the conductors a it i w d on e d u At telephone is not in use and removed from the reel the left end 0! the drum (Figure 3) Pl es M 40 when the receiver is in use without involving the and both rigid-1y attached to the d 'u u 40 use or contacting devices such as rings and the 54, form a narrow mp r ment ill to keep loosely lik Y 1 formed loops 64 (Figure 5) of cord in shape.

I Accordingly an object of t invention 1 t The end portion 34 of the conductor M (Figprovidea novel reel, ures 1 and 5), extending from. the base of the 5 A further object of the invention is to provide telephone apparatus, is inserted through pennovel apparatus for and methods or reeling a 8 5| (Figure 5) Where iii-1S d ast against telephone receiver conductor. pp n y Spring tongue 52 (Fi re w ch Still a further object 0! the invention is to progrips the Conductor? covel'lnge C uctor is vide a. reel which is spring operated and provided then formed into one or more large loose loops 5% with means for locking the cord in its extended or 64 W n t e a w c mpa me 50, s S own, used position and automatically releasing the and brought tangent to hub M and thence inlock to wind up the conductor after the telephone rt d to h pa n the opp f f Plato lsrestored to its base. i 48 through slotted opening 53 (Figure 6) and Still another object of the invention is to pro-' brought behind clamping tongue 5i and toward 6355 videanovel telephonebasetor automatically conthe cylindrical wall 56 of drum ii. Tongue M to.

clamps the portion of the conductor opposite 'to prevent relative movement thereof for the reason to be explained hereinafter.

The conductor is then passed through opening 55 in cylindrical wall I6 of drum ll (Figures 3 and 9) and wound up within adjacent turns of helical rib 35. The conductor is then brought out of casing through slot 51 (Figure 2) which extends throughout the entire length of the cylindrical wall 31 of the casing and finally connected to the telephone receiver 32 (Figure l) When end portion 33 of the conductor connected to the receiver is pulled out by lifting receiver 32 from its hook on base 3| and pulled toward the subscriber, the portion of the conductor wrapped around the drum ll will unwind itself, as the drum rotates on its pivots in the direction of arrows (Figures 4, 5, and 6). Asthe turns of the cord on the drum are being exhausted. the cord will travel through slot 91 along the-length of the slot.

Meanwhile, as the drum rotates and the radial portion of the conductor extending from clamp II to the cylinder wall rotates about the hub, that portion of the cord forming the slack loops 34 (Figure 5) extending between the clamp at 52 and tongue clamp at N will wind itself upon hub N of the drum in the space between plates 31 and 4|. Since the drum and its hub are made to differ largely in diameter for a relatively great length of cord wound on the drum there corresponds but a small length of the same cord wound upon the hub.

Thus, for example, for a conductor about 42" long, 35" wound on a drum approximately 3" in diameter will require approximately four turns. If the hub is approximately in diameter, it will reel approximately 1%" of the slack conductor for each revolution and in four revolutions, making suitable allowance for changes in diameter as the slack wire is reeled on the hub, approximately '1" of conductor will thus be reeled and the slack taken up.

During the unwinding operation the drum will rotate in the direction of the arrows (Figures 4, 5, and 6) against the torsional resilient resistance of coil spring 65. Spring 35 is placed within tubular hub 44 and anchored at the ends, as at 66 (Figure 3) where bent end of the wire fits in the opening in end plate 41 (which rotates together with the drum) and as at 31, where the the conductor in the space between each pair oi" ribs, and since its outward edge comes near the inner surface of cylindrical wall ,31, efl'ectively guides the conductor in the spiral grooves formed on the drum without Jamming.

It will be noted that with this method of reeling, no break in the conductor by contacting slip rings or the like is needed. Without in any way disturbing the telephone conductor, it may be placed in the reel, and as the reel rotates to withdraw wire, the slack conductor is reeled on on the hub againforms a slack. Thus contacting rings, breaks,' etc., which haverendered effects to reel these conductors impractical, if not inoperative, heretofore, are avoided.

Moreover, as an examination of the several views will reveal, the conductor may be installed without any cuttings or disconnections from telephone base or receiver. In fact, the cord is placed upon the drum, as described, with casing 31 and end walls 39 and 39 removed. Slotted opening 51 of casing 31 is open at both ends so that the casing may be put in position after slipping the cordthrough the slotted opening. The cylindrical casing 31 is provided with an opening ll (Figures 5 and 8) and a slot 59 in the casing (shown in dotted line in Figure 8), leads to this opening so that the cord may be inserted in the opening by slipping it through the slot. When covers 39 and 39 are placed on the end of the cylindrical casing 31, the flanges of the covers close the slots 51 and 59 and retain the cable in the opening.

Covers 33 and 39 are secured to the ends of casing 31 by means of screws 60 and GI which go through holes provided in covers and are screwed into threaded holes in lugs 63 (Figure 4) of the casing.

The reeling device so far described may be provided with some means for locking the drum when the desired length of conductor has been withdrawn, so as to relieve the hand of the user from the task of holding the drawn-out portion of the conductor tight against the force of the spring. This means may in particular consist of the ratchet mechanism shown in Figure 4.

In Figure 4, the bearing 49 for hub 44 (Figure 3) has teeth 98 in the form of a ratchet. Two (as shown) or more pawls 69 and 19 are carried by rotatingwall 13 of the drum, and are free to swing on pivots 1| attached to that wall. These pawls are apt to engage ratchet teeth 68 which are so shaped that the pawls may ride over them without obstruction'when the drum rotates in the direction of the arrows; that is, during the unwinding operation. But when the drum is made to rotate slowly'in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrows, the pawl that happens to be directly above the ratchet teeth will fall by gravity and engage and lock with the teeth, preventing the drum from being driven by its spring 95 to rewind the conductor. This will, therefore, lock the drum against rotation opposite to that of the arrows.

If, on the other hand, the conductor is' suddenly jerked and released, the drum will first rotate rapidly in the direction of the arrows.

The pawl 69 engaged to the ratchet teeth will spread out of disengagement from the teeth due to the centrifugal force developed. When now, immediately following the jerk of the conductor,

it is released, the drum will rotate fast in the.

telephone stand in idle position, the tension of conductor portion 33 is undesirable. Furthering a radial slot extending from its periphery to more, the drum, having taken in all the available conductor connected to the receiver, might not have been locked by ratchet mechanism, since 7 such mechanism works to a certain extent on the basis 01 probabilities, causing, thus, the undesirable tension on the conductor. To avoid this, stop 35, which is made large enough not to go through slot 51, is rigidly fastened to the conductor at a convenient distance from the receiver.

Although, in this modification, the loop 64 is shown as wound in the chamber formed by plates l1 and 48, it will be obvious that this loop can be wound along the hub in the space between the hub and the inside wall of the cylinder.

- Moreover, although normally the conductor 64 .is sleek or in a loop when the conductor is wound on the reel, the reverse may be obtained by normally arranging the conductor 64 so that it is wound on the hub, while the main portion 01' the conductor is on the reel and while the reel is being turned to unwind the conductor thereirom'the loop 84 is formed. p The latter method has the advantage that it calls for less work by the spring 65 while the conductor is being unreeled. In order to prevent the telephone stand from slippim during this operation, the bottom thereof should be provided. with any well known friction means. Although a specific illustration of the invention has been given, it will be understood that the principle herein disclosed can be carried out in numerous other ways than here disclosed.

Flmdamentally, the invention involves an arrangement which permits the use of a reel for electrical conductors carrying small currents, such as telephone currents, without a brake in the conductor thought necessary where a reeling operation is involved.

Applicant has illustrated several arrangements for carrying out such a reeling operation but it will be obvious that other similar arrangementscan be employed. Thus, for example, the principleoi' securing a portion of the conductor extending from the reel opposite to the end from s which the conductor'ls unreeled may be accomplished by securing this conductor to the center point of'the hub, so that'a minimum amount .of

' .movement of the wire occurs as the drum rotates. Moreover, although the invention has been shown as applied specifically to telephone circuits, it' can also'be applied equally well to other types of circuits, some or which have been illustrated, such as in the operation 01 electric irons, vacuum cleaners and the like.

In the latter case, it may be advisable, due to the unusually long length of cord involved and also due to the larger size current values em-' ployed, to employ rotating brushes and rings.

It will accordingly be obvious that the inven-tg tion may take on other forms coming withinsthe spirit of the invention-herein disclosed and should not be restricted to the specific examples given but only as setiorth m the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a reel; a rotatable hub; a drum secured to and rotatable with said hub; a conductor wound on said drum; a first and second'plate secured to and at one end of said hub and form 1 ing th'erebetween a chamber; said first plate have said hub for admitting the conductor wound on chamber to the exterior of said reel; in for rotatably mounting said hub on said and covers.

2. In a reel; a rotatable hub; a 9.1

in rotatably mounting said hub on said end covers. said means comprising a pin secured to said first end cover and protruding through said second end plate for pivoting said hub and a hearing secured to the other end cover for rotatably supporting said hub.

3. In a reel; a rotatable-hub; a drum secured l securedto and rotatable with said bill); a conductor to and rotatable with said hub; a conductor wound on said a first and second plate secured to and at one end oi said hub and forming-therebetween a cber; said first plate hav ing a radial slot extending from its periphery to said hub for admitting the conductor wound on the drum into said chamber; a removable casing for said reel; removable end covers for engaging said casing; an opening in said c for providing'a passage for said conductor from said chamber to the exterior of said reel; means for rotatably mounting said hub on said end covers, said means comprising a pin secured to said first end cover and protruding through said second end plate for pivoting said hub and a hearing as cured to the other end cover for rotatably sup porting said hub; and a spring, one end of which, is secured to said, last mentioned end cover and the other end is securedto said last mentioned plate, said spring being mounted within said hub.

4. In a reel: arotatable hub; a drum secured to and rotatable with said hub; a conductor wound onsaid drum; a first and second plate secured to and at one end of said hub and forming therebetween-a chamber; said first plate having a radial slot extending from its'perlphery to said v hub for admitting the conductor wound on the drum into said chamber; v a removable casing for said reel; removable end covers for engaging said caslng; an opening in said casing for providing a passage for said conductor from said chamber to the exterior 01' said reel; means for rotatably mounting said hub on said end covers, said means comprising a pin secured to said first end cover and protruding through said second end plate ior pivoting said hub and a bearing secured to the other end cover tor rotatably supporting said hub; a spring, one end of which is secured to said last mentioned end cover and the other end is secured to said last mentioned plate, said spring being mounted within said hub; a ratchet formed in said bearing; and a pawl engaging said ratchet for locking said hub in any dd unreeled position.

5. In a reel; a rotatable hub; a drum secured to and rotatable with said hub; a conductor wound on said drum; a first and second plate secured to and at one end of said hub and forming therebetween a chamber; said first plate having a radial slot extending from its periphery to said hub for admitting the conductor wound on the drum into said chamber; a clamp for the conductor adjacent said hub for. preventing slippa e of the her to the exterior of said reeli opening for preventing slippage of said conductor conductor thereatfa removable casing for said reel; removable end covers, for engagin sa d casing; an opening in said easingi'or providing a passage for saidconductor from said chamber to the exterior of said reel; and means for rotatably mounting said hub on said end covers.

6. In a reel; a rotatable hub;-a drum secured to and rotatable with. said hub; a conductor wound on said drum; fa first and second plate secured to and at one end otsaid hub and forming therebetween a chamber; said first plate having a radial slot extending from its periphery to said hub ioradmitting the conductor wound on the drum into said chamber; a removable casing for said reel; removable end covers for engaging said casing; an opening in said casing tor providing a passage for said conductor from said chamat said passage; and means for rotatably mounting said hub on said end covers.

7. In a reel; a rotatable hub; a drum secured to and rotatable with said hub and having a helical rib for guiding a conductor wound on said drum; a first and second platesecured to said hub and forming therebetween a chamber; said first plate having a radial slot extending from its periphery to said hub for admitting the conductor wound on the drum into said chamber; a. clamp for the conductor adjacent said hub ior preventing slippage of the conductor thereat; a removable casingior said reel; removable end covers for engaging said casing; an opening in said casing for providing a e for said conductor irom said chamber; a clamp at said opening for preventing slippage of said conductor at said passage; a pivot comprising a pin protruding through said second end plate and secured to said first end cover for pivoting said hub and a bearing secured to the end cover at the opposite end for rotatably supporting said hub; a spring mounted within said hub, one end 01' which is secured to said last mentioned end cover and the other end of which is secured to said second end plate; a ratchet formed in said bearing and a cooperating pawl mounted in said drum for lockin said reel in anv desired position.

8. In a reel for telephones; a rotatable drum;

a first section of conductor wound on said drum; I

a second section of conductor extending throug orass a clamp at said a supportin means for said drum; means for rigidly clamping said supporting means in place on said telephone; spring means for holdingsaid drum in a predetermined position; means tor unreeling the conductor from said drum against the action 01 said spring means; said second section of conductor having I its slack simultaneousLv taken up as said conductor is unreeled from said drum; said spring means acting upon release of the first section of conductor to rewind said first section on said drum. said second section of conductor being simultaneously formed into a slack.

9. In a reel for telephones, a rotatable drum; a first section of conductor wound on said drum; a second section of conductor iormed in a loop, one end 01' said second section being clamped; a supporting means for said drum; means for rigidly clamping said supporting means in place on said telephone; spring means for holding said drum in a predetermined position; means for unreeling the conductor from said drum against the action of said spring means; said second section of conductor having its slack simultaneously taken up as said conductor is unreeled from said drum; said spring means acting upon release of said first section conductor to rewind said first section 'on said drum; said second section of conductor being simultaneously formed into a slack.

10. In a reel for telephones, a rotatable drum; a first section of conductor wound on said drum; a second section of conductor iormed in a loop, one end of said second section being clamped; a readily removable cover for said drum for permitting easy winding oi the conductor on said drum; a supporting means for said drum; means for rigidly clamping said supporting means in place on said telephone; spring means for holding said drum in a predetermined position; means for unreeling the conductor from said drum against the action of said spring means; said second section of conductor having its slack simultaneously taken up as said conductor is unreeled from said drum; said spring means acting upon release of said first section of conductor 'to rewind said first section on said drum; said second section of conductorbeingsimultaneously formed into a slack. ISAAC STERN. LEAH SHOOKHOFF. 

